Audio Mixer for FCP

[Nathan Wadding]

I use a Mackie 1604. It’s an analog board w/ no midi control. It works great in that capacity. If your looking for a control service that’s a different story. The mackie control universal is nice but it has no ins/outs it’s just a control surface. Your right Tascam makes a FW-1080 and a FW-1884 that uses the Mackie protocol, which Final Cut Studio talk to now. Those two Tascams are both a control surface and a traditional mixer all rolled into one.

You mentioned motion 2 in your post, don’t forget that the above tools your asking about work in FCP 5 and Soundtrack Pro.

Nate

[Marco Solorio]

I have a Tascam DM-24 automated mixer for the main suite. Pix here. It has a couple of slots for expandability. One slot is for 8-channel analog IO and the other slot will be used for the available FireWire option. This, according to both Apple and Tascam will support the Mackie protocol so the faders can work as a control surface with FCP. This is a very, very nice mixer. Besides your typical EQ control on every channel, it also has dynamics on every channel (compression, gate, etc.) as well as surround mixing. You can save and recall custom mixes or settings… no more writing down mix settings; every knob and button is recalled. I’ve been using this as the main edit suite mixer for over a year now and it’s been wonderful. And the clients dig the moving faders! =)

Marco Solorio  |   OneRiver Media

[Michael Gissing]

Yamaha have a range of mixers from 24 channel to 96 inputs with all manner of analog and digital inputs. I use an old O2R with FCP bringing the output of the Balckmagic card and the mac optical out into the AES inputs.

Yamaha mixers can control external midi devices. They also have transport keys as well as mix faders/ pots. Software is available for free from Yamaha that lets you save unlimited setups, patching and routing option via USB from Mac or PC. If nothing else, they are the cheapest but most powerful digital multi routers available. 5.1 mixing and monitoring is built in.

[Bill]

two things about your suite Marco….. is the guy in tho monitor writing on the ladies rear end…and is that a plate of sushi on the right?….. otherwise looks really nice just like mine but on monday.

[Tom Matthies]

Beringer 1604A
Very much like the Mackie, but a much better value.
Acually a very impressive mixer, especially at it’s price point.
Tom

[Nick Meyers]

michael,
what are you using to convert / conect the G5 optical out to the AES/EBU of teh O2R?

nick

[Tom Volotta]

The Tascam FW-1082 and 1884 are also 24-bit/96KHz A/D and D/A converters, so in addition to being Mackie Control Protocol mixers, they are excellent audio interfaces.

The Yamaha 01X, also with MCP, has similar capabilities and pricing to the FW-1884.

Apples says “others” are MCP/FCP5 compatible, but doesn’t provide a list.

In building a FCP5 system from scratch, I’d at least want to include an MCP Control Surface. Finding one that combines a Mixer & Interface is a great way to go, although the Control Surface and separate Interface has it’s advantages.

Another point of including the Mackie Control Protocol is that you can add numerous audio software applications (Logic, DP, Nuendo, etc.) that can map to your MCP device for situations where FCP5 or SoundTrack Pro fall short of what you need to do.

[Nick Meyers]

small is beautifull,
and i like the look of the behringer B-Control:
https://www.behringer.com/BCF2000/index.cfm?lang=ENG

and this tiny JLCooper:
https://store.apple.com/133-622/WebObjects/australiastore

but no info on whether they are compatible or not.

[Tom Volotta]

Yes, which devices are MCP-compatible sometimes seems a bit vague.

I would have thought a Mackie Control Protocol label, logo or seal of approval would be highlighted in the specs for the various devices, but instead, you have to dig to find out what’s what, and then it’s sometimes still a question.

Apple and Mackie should step in here to help identify the gear. It would also be good to see some sample systems configurations.

BTW: Apple states that several MCP control surfaces have been “tested”, but none “certified” for use with FCP5/SoundTrack Pro. Same with I/O devices.

[Marco Solorio]

[bill] ” is the guy in tho monitor writing on the ladies rear end”

Yes. He’s autographing her booty. You know how hip-hop videos are! [sigh]

[bill] “is that a plate of sushi on the right?”

Yes, it is sushi. But unfortunately they are wind-up toys! Makes me hungry for sushi everyday. I’m just teasing myself!

Marco Solorio  |   OneRiver Media